News

Eight Degrees Brewing pulled a fast one on the American’s and took home a bronze medal in the American Amber Ale category at this year’s World Beer Cup in Colorado. (I can say this because I am American….and from Colorado.)

Their Amber-Ella beer fits the style perfectly with it’s American and Australian hops and balanced malt flavours. This is a big deal not just for the brewery but for all Irish craft brewers as it helps put Ireland on the map in an American and UK dominated market.

Keep in mind that there were over 4,700 entries from 1,400 breweries from 58 different countries in this “Olympics of beer” competition. This was no easy feat and we are delighted for the lads (yes I say lads) at Eight Degrees. Well done!

You can still hear the gittyness in Cam’s voice in an interview here on Today FM (scroll to 46:45)

“This is our first beer. It’s called Rye Ale, it’s 5% vol and it’s been made in Ireland by our own hands, so we can guarantee that only good stuff has gone into it, like 4 types of malted grain and 3 types of hops. We can also guarantee that it’s got no bad stuff in it either, like preservatives or additives. With all the great stuff that’s gone into this beer, it’d be a shame if we only got one great thing out of it. Fortunately, we take the by-products of the brewing process and use them to make other useful things, like dog treats and oyster mushrooms. That’s because we’re a brewery that likes to squeeze every last drop out of the brewing process. We hope you enjoy every last drop of this ale. Sláinte, from N17.“

In the west of Ireland, deep in the heart of rural Roscommon, in the quiet farming village of Ballinlough, a brewery grows. The brainchild of husband and wife Richard Siberry and Michaela Dillon, Black Donkey Brewing was unleashed, receiving great reviews, onto the beer drinking public for the first time at the 2014 European Beer Bloggers Conference in Dublin.

A traditionally cautious animal, this Donkey is not one to shy away from adventure and innovation, while still maintaining a very healthy respect for tradition. We aim to use whatever it takes, turbid mashes, spontaneous fermentation, wood ageing, smoked malts, etc. to bring our consumers the best, and most diverse, beers we can make. Full-scale production began in July 2014, bringing Irish, European, American and historical brewing influences together under one roof, and onto the rapidly growing and increasingly exciting Irish craft-brewing scene.

Sam and Maudeline, are a husband and wife team, who started their brewing company Kinsale Craft brewery in 2013. This venture/obsession first began many years ago when Maudeline gave Sam a beer making kit for Valentines Day. What started as a hobby quickly developed into an obsession and thus through Sam’s passion and enthusiasm Kinsale Craft brewery became reality. Living the dream since 2013.

“We want to escape the mundane of the mass market by producing beers with passion and personality.”